Follow FEMA:

Disaster Assistance To Washington State Tops $17 Million

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Disaster aid for homeowners, renters, business owners, state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations affected by the severe flooding between Jan. 6 and 16, 2009 reached $17,017,439 thus far, according to officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Washington Division of Emergency Management (WA-EMD) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The following figures provided by FEMA, WA-EMD and SBA officials represent disaster aid approved through May 6, 2009:

Total Individual Assistance approved is $8,799,085.

$7,843,791 in housing assistance has been granted to cover temporary rental assistance, home repairs and replacement.

$955,294 in other needs assistance has been approved to cover essential personal property losses or serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.

Individuals needing to follow up on their applications can call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY 1-800-462-7585). Assistance is available in 173 languages, in addition to English.

$6,096,700 in low-interest disaster loans has been issued to individuals and businesses by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

$957,783 has been distributed in Disaster Unemployment benefits to individuals out of work as a direct result of the disaster and who do not otherwise qualify for unemployment benefits.

$1,163,871 in Public Assistance funding has been obligated to governments, tribes and private non-profits for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repairs or replacements of roads and bridges, public buildings and utilities, recreational areas and other public infrastructure.

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.